Being Champions League underdogs suits Chelsea

Chelsea’s John Terry will know his side will be underdogs in the Champions League (Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Tuesday night saw Chelsea show their European pedigree by overcoming Paris Saint-Germain, who due to their expensively assembled squad and two goal advantage were favourites.

Underdog is not a term naturally associated with a Chelsea side in the Roman Abramovich era or a team that has won back-to-back European trophies. It is, however, one that Chelsea fans should get used to in the Champions League for the rest of the season.

Chelsea back in the elite

The Blues are firmly back in the elite of the European competition with just Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich left.

This means that whoever they face the Blues are likely to be underdogs against the powerhouse of Real and holders Munich. Atletico will also be favourites if they face Chelsea after their stunning form and defeat of Barcelona.

Memories of 2012

This seems to be a tag that has suited Chelsea quite well in the past. In 2012, the side was written off at every stage of the competition only to roar back. The victories over Barcelona and Munich are the definitions of overcoming huge odds.

That year, spirit rather than pure ability was what drove the team forwards to the club’s greatest moment.

Chelsea are a different team from 2012 but the spine of that side and the desire remains. Could this be enough to give Jose Mourinho the trophy his Stamford Bridge collection lacks?

Can Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho lead his side to Champions League glory this season? (Picture: AP Photo/Matt Dunham).

Counter-attack key to success

This is a big ask, yet Chelsea have performed admirably in the big games of the season so far, going toe-to-toe with Munich in the Super Cup and have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in the Premier League.

With pacy midfielders, Mourinho’s style of play is currently suited to the counter attack. A tactic impossible to use effectively against the defensively-minded sides that usually line up against Chelsea.

The success of the counter attack could be a huge factor in determining if Chelsea can repeat the feats of 2012, like they did on Tuesday.

Either way, being underdogs is unlikely to phase this group, who will believe anything is possible.